A minerals-modified glutamate medium for the enumeration of coliform organisms in water

Abstract

SUMMARYOxoid dehydrated MacConkey broth was compared with laboratory-prepared Gray's improved formate lactose glutamate medium and with two dehydrated versions of it, by participants in ten laboratories. A variety of chlorinated and unchlorinated water samples was used. The superiority of the glutamate media over MacConkey broth for the detection of coliform organisms in water was again confirmed. The minerals-modified version, either dehydrated or laboratory-prepared, gave the best results and is the medium recommended for use in water examination. Care should be taken to ensure that the final pH after sterilization is 6·7.